Cracking The Copywriter Nut

[fthomas137]

Hey all,

I'm really interested in become an expert copywriter and have been working at it but to be honest, my talents in this area still pretty much suck.

What are the recommended things that you experts recommend to really step up one's art in regards to copywriting?

I do apologize if this isn't appropriate for this section.

Thanks,

Frank Thomas

[Loren Woirhaye]

Umm. Read the Gary Halbert Letter. He mostly tells it
like it is with a bit of embellishment (he's the unreliable narrator).

There are a ton of worthy books to read about writing copy,
but on a day to day basis it's about communication chops
more than "insider secrets". Excellent writers in all genres
work real hard at it. Fiction, drama, poetry, journalism, copy,
etc. - skill comes as a reward for dedication.

[Johnny12345]

Frank,

The first book I ever read about copywriting was "How to Write a Good Advertisement" by Victor Schwab.

That was over 20 years ago, but it's STILL probably the single-best book on copywriting available.

It's about $15 at Amazon. If I were you, I would start there...

Regards,

Johnny

[The Copy Nazi]

"Here's what I've got...here's what it does...here's why your miserable life will be so much better if you have it too...here's what it costs...here's where you get it"


But all the fancy words in the world won't work if you're not on target - i.e. trying to sell hair products to bald-headed men (unless, of course, you have a "miracle" hair-restorer that actually works - I'd buy that ).

[yade]

You can join EZine Expert Author, there are many famous authors there to learn from

[dyadvisor]

SEE my post 4-20-10 about connecting with executives. There are 3 or 4 excellent large copywriter groups who can give you more than you can handle for free.

[RickDuris]

Hi Frank,

Here's what I would do (and have done.)

To step up, what you need is "in field experience."

I'm sure you have a friend or family member somewhere that has a business. If not, go ahead and approach the folks on Click Bank who have sucky websites and offer to improve their sales page (but be nice about this Not arrogant.)

Offer to write (or rewrite) for them. Work out the deal, but my guess is given your comments, you'll be doing it for free initially. (But at least get a testimonial out of it.)

But now you have a Client and you have a real laboratory for putting your new found skills to work.

A lot of what you write may not pass muster. No worries. That's ok and that's exactly why I am advocating this strategy.

It's for learning, primarily.

At some point you'll course correct and get your occasional "Aha!" moments. Those times should be relished.

The biggest benefit is you'll start gaining the confidence you need to assert your yourself.

Bottom line: The biggest way to step up, as you say, is to do it for real.

Best of success,

- Rick Duris

[The Copy Nazi]

No, no Rick - that won't work. There are no "sucky Clickbank websites". They're all really, really good. Works of art usually - every one pushing the boundaries of website design and copywriting - and catering to a very sophisticated demographic. Yes...you'll be hard-pressed to get a gig there.

[Kevin-VirtualProfitCenter]

Originally Posted by fthomas137

Hey all,

I'm really interested in become an expert copywriter and have been working at it but to be honest, my talents in this area still pretty much suck.

What are the recommended things that you experts recommend to really step up one's art in regards to copywriting?

I do apologize if this isn't appropriate for this section.

Thanks,

Frank Thomas

Sorry to burst your bubble...

Unless you have a great talent for writing already you can't become an expert copywriter any more than you can become Hemingway.

(Yeah, I know your heart just sank...make sure to read this comment to the end and it will pick back up again...)

You can become a competent copywriter and make a living at it with mediocre talents if you study hard and practice even harder. Write every day. Write about everything. When you do a post at a forum (hint, hint) make sure it actually is entertaining, informative and concise.

(This next part will make you smile again...)

But don't despair...

I am a mediocre writer. I am a hack. I am a mimic. I don't believe I have ever had an original thought. I am rarely creative. My grammar is terrible. So is my spelling. Even my mother thinks I need remedial English.

My writing has helped sell over $100 million online. People pay me for my mediocre writing.

Just like me, if you determine to make it, you will.

[fthomas137]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

Umm. Read the Gary Halbert Letter. He mostly tells it
like it is with a bit of embellishment (he's the unreliable narrator).

There are a ton of worthy books to read about writing copy,
but on a day to day basis it's about communication chops
more than "insider secrets". Excellent writers in all genres
work real hard at it. Fiction, drama, poetry, journalism, copy,
etc. - skill comes as a reward for dedication.

Thanks for the book tip Loren. It's tough to decide upon what is the right thing to spend one's time with when there is so much selection.

Originally Posted by Johnny12345

Frank,

The first book I ever read about copywriting was "How to Write a Good Advertisement" by Victor Schwab.

That was over 20 years ago, but it's STILL probably the single-best book on copywriting available.

It's about $15 at Amazon. If I were you, I would start there...

Regards,

Johnny

Once again, thanks Johnny, I'm definitely going to look into that book!

Originally Posted by Metronicity

"Here's what I've got...here's what it does...here's why your miserable life will be so much better if you have it too...here's what it costs...here's where you get it"


But all the fancy words in the world won't work if you're not on target - i.e. trying to sell hair products to bald-headed men (unless, of course, you have a "miracle" hair-restorer that actually works - I'd buy that ).

LOL! Hey, where did you find my 'morning picture'?

Originally Posted by yade

You can join EZine Expert Author, there are many famous authors there to learn from

That's something that I never even thought of. I will definitely be checking this out!

Originally Posted by dyadvisor

SEE my post 4-20-10 about connecting with executives. There are 3 or 4 excellent large copywriter groups who can give you more than you can handle for free.

Excellent post! Will do.

Originally Posted by RickDuris

Hi Frank,

Here's what I would do (and have done.)

To step up, what you need is "in field experience."

I'm sure you have a friend or family member somewhere that has a business. If not, go ahead and approach the folks on Click Bank who have sucky websites and offer to improve their sales page (but be nice about this Not arrogant.)

Offer to write (or rewrite) for them. Work out the deal, but my guess is given your comments, you'll be doing it for free initially. (But at least get a testimonial out of it.)

But now you have a Client and you have a real laboratory for putting your new found skills to work.

A lot of what you write may not pass muster. No worries. That's ok and that's exactly why I am advocating this strategy.

It's for learning, primarily.

At some point you'll course correct and get your occasional "Aha!" moments. Those times should be relished.

The biggest benefit is you'll start gaining the confidence you need to assert your yourself.

Bottom line: The biggest way to step up, as you say, is to do it for real.

Best of success,

- Rick Duris

Heck, I've got enough of my own products that I could get written for. I'm trying to put down a product after it's done to remove the 'emotional attachment' and make me more subjective when writing sales copy.

Originally Posted by Paul McQuillan

If you "suck" at copywriting, I would not approach CB merchants

I would buy, read and implement the lessons of- How to Write
a Good Advertisement.

If you really want to get better, faster. Find a good mentor.

I advise against jumping in the deep-end without first knowing
how to swim.

Yes, and that's what I'm hoping for is some good mentorship!

Originally Posted by Kevin-VirtualProfitCenter

Sorry to burst your bubble...

Unless you have a great talent for writing already you can't become an expert copywriter any more than you can become Hemingway.

(Yeah, I know your heart just sank...make sure to read this comment to the end and it will pick back up again...)

You can become a competent copywriter and make a living at it with mediocre talents if you study hard and practice even harder. Write every day. Write about everything. When you do a post at a forum (hint, hint) make sure it actually is entertaining, informative and concise.

(This next part will make you smile again...)

But don't despair...

I am a mediocre writer. I am a hack. I am a mimic. I don't believe I have ever had an original thought. I am rarely creative. My grammar is terrible. So is my spelling. Even my mother thinks I need remedial English.

My writing has helped sell over $100 million online. People pay me for my mediocre writing.

Just like me, if you determine to make it, you will.

Your post was actually heartening! I've read before that even if you haven't been born with a pen in your hand, you can still learn enough to be excellent. That's what I'm hoping for!

Thanks all for your suggestions! I look forward to corresponding with you and learning and earning as a more successful copywriter!

Cheers!

Frank